Committee Agenda for Public Safety Committee 02/10/2021

CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Safety Committee Meeting

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:02 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:21 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey
Vice Chairperson Sarai Rivera
Councilor Donna M Colorio

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M Toomey Vice Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera Councilor Donna M Colorio

	Also:	WPD Deputy Chief Paul B. Saucier City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli, clerk

Approval of the Minutes



1a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Public Safety hereby approves the minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting on February 1, 2020.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Public Participation



2a.	In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 180 973 3488) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3. https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=e46fa896bc7ed59d27e4a1cc9e27e8aa0	Attachments

Communication of the City Manager - Police Department



3a.	Transmitting informational communication regarding information on the police response associated with Bancroft Tower in the year 2020. # 8.10A CM November 10, 2020 In Committee February 1, 2021 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the WPD Deputy Chief, who discussed data concerning calls relative to incidents at Bancroft Tower and actions taken at the location. Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with an updated report concerning police responses associated with Bancroft Tower in the year 2020. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed data concerning incidents at Bancroft Tower and installation of monitoring camera at the location with the WPD Deputy Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the following speaker: 1. Gordon Duncan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the WPD Deputy Chief, who discussed the storage of monitoring camera footage and warning signage for the camera with Speaker 1. Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with an updated report concerning any recent police responses associated with Bancroft Tower.


3b.	Transmitting informational communication regarding actions taken as a result of the fireworks tip line. # 11.10A CM September 8, 2020 In Committee February 1, 2021 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the WPD Deputy Chief, who discussed the Police Department collaboration with the Fire Department to create a fireworks tip line, the data generated from said tip line and actions taken to educate and advice people on the danger relative to the fireworks. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the impact of the fireworks tip line. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the volume of fireworks activity in the year 2020, the number of arrests and citations made relative to fireworks incidents, and utilization of camera collaborators with the WPD Deputy Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey discussed where commercial-grade fireworks could be purchased, setting up sting operations with state police to prevent fireworks incidents, and whether there is a national movement with the WPD Deputy Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief begin an informational awareness campaign about the danger associated with fireworks at the end of May 2021. Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager request Police Chief begin an informational awareness campaign about the danger associated with fireworks at the end of May 2021.


3c.	Transmitting informational communication relative to crime statistics and performance measures. # 11.10B CM September 8, 2020 In Committee February 1, 2021 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the WPD Deputy Chief discussed data relative to crime statistics and performance measures, and the impact of community policing and usage of ShotSpotter program. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the following speakers: 1. Bob Michele, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the WPD Deputy Chief, who discussed the trends for crime statistics as presented in the report with Speaker 1. Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with an updated report concerning crime statistics and performance measures. Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with an updated report concerning crime statistics and performance measures.


3d.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the purchasing and use of military gear by the Worcester Police Department. # 10.10B CM June 16, 2020 In Committee February 1, 2021 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the WPD Deputy Chief, who discussed the equipment the Police Department received from the U.S Department of Defense 1033 Program, and information relative to the utilization of OC based less lethal systems. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the following speakers: 1. Christine Tosti, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item 2. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the WPD Deputy Chief, who discussed how the Police Department researched the best practices to adopt with Speaker 1. The WPD Deputy Chief then discussed military grade equipment with Speaker 2. Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide city council with report concerning how the Police Department training division research the best practices to adopt. Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with report concerning how the Worcester Police Department training division researches best practices from other communities for the city to adopt.


3e.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the Police Departments protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic. # 9.10A CM May 26, 2020 In Committee February 1, 2021 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the WPD Deputy Chief, who discussed actions taken by the Police Department during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays


3f.	Transmitting informational communications relative to the Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grant. # 8.10A CM February 25, 2020 In Committee February 1, 2021 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the WPD Deputy Chief, who discussed the Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grant and the data generated from the railroad patrol program. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the intent of arrested railroad trespassers, impact of the program on locating areas for patrols, actions taken to help people who were located at these areas, and activists’ protest on the railroad with the WPD Deputy Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with an updated report concerning the Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grant. Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the defined area for the patrol program with the WPD Deputy Chief. Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the demographics for the arrests made by the railroad patrol team, including information relative to the reason why the arrestees were present in the area. Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with an updated report concerning the Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grant.
	Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the demographics for the arrests made by the railroad patrol team, including information relative to the reason why the arrestees were present in the area.